2015 Volvo XC90 – second-gen 7-seat SUV unveiled

It has been 12 years since Volvo pioneered the seven-seater SUV, and now there’s finally a new one – the 2015 Volvo XC90. The second-generation family hauler is a big deal for the Swedish carmaker as it is the first step in the brand’s US$11 billion (RM34.7 billion) rejuvenation.

The first production car built on the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the new XC90 features the company’s new design language, with T-shaped “Thor’s Hammer” headlights flanking the large grille. That grille contains Volvo’s updated iron mark badge with the little arrow finally aligned with the iconic diagonal bar running across the grille.

The sculpted bonnet, sharp crease along the beltline and bulked-up haunches above the wheel arches give the car some added muscle, further bolstered by new wheels measuring up to 22 inches in diameter. Meanwhile, Volvo’s distinctive rear design is updated with slim “tattoo-like” tail lights.

Two exterior styling themes will be available for the new XC90. The Urban Luxury package features body-coloured lower trim, polished stainless steel details such as the front and rear skid plates and side scuff plates as well as 21-inch polished alloy wheels. The Rugged Luxury pack, on the other hand, has matte black trim, stainless steel skid plates, illuminated running boards and 22-inch wheels.

We’ve seen the interior before – it was revealed a month ago – but it’s good to run through the specifics again. The cabin is said to be the most luxurious for a Volvo to date, with soft leather and wood teamed up with handcrafted details such as the crystal glass gearknob from Swedish glassmaker Orrefors and the diamond-cut start-stop button and volume control knob.

The seats have also been designed to free up space in both the second and third rows without sacrificing comfort. The rear-most seats provide “class-leading comfort” for two passengers up to 170 cm tall.

An important new feature of the interior is the portrait-oriented tablet-like touchscreen, an integral part of the new in-car control system. The display reduces dashboard clutter, controlling everything from music to navigation to even the climate control. Also included are a suite of internet-based services, “state-of-the-art” voice control as well as native integration with Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto.

Diesel models include a 190 hp, 400 Nm D4 that consumes around 5.0 litres of fuel per 100 km, as well as a 225 hp, 470 Nm twin turbo D5 that is claimed to offer class-leading fuel consumption of around 6.0 litres per 100 km.

At the top sits a new “Twin Engine” T8 plug-in hybrid model with a supercharged and turbocharged petrol mill powering the front wheels and a 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor driving the rear wheels. Together they churn out around 400 hp and 640 Nm, while being capable of a 40 km all-electric range as well as carbon dioxide emissions as low as 60 grams per kilometre.

As befits a Volvo, the new XC90 will come with a raft of safety features and will be key to the company’s aim of zero accident fatalities or injuries in a new Volvo car by the year 2020. Two new world firsts include Safe Positioning which reduces injuries if the car runs off the road, as well as an automatic braking function at junctions if the car senses the driver is about to turn into an oncoming car.

All of Volvo’s auto brake systems are now packaged under a single umbrella, called City Safety, and they will all be standard on every new XC90. These features now protect against vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and are now functional both day and night.

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

Have always liked the XC90 and I too wanted to like it but am struggling with the looks. To me it looks more Chinese than French. I’m sure it was developed and designed in Sweden so the fact that it is Chinese owned shouldn’t influence the design. But somehow it just looks like one of those Cherry/Great Wall/whatchamacallit Chinese designers got his fingers into the Swedish kitchen…

That’s the same thing I thought when I looked at it. I think it’s the grille design. It’s rather small for the size of vehicle and it’s using chrome vertical slats. I prefer what can be seen on the sedans more.

I have to say that the first impression was kinda like a ho-hum kinda feel towards the exterior….but the more i look at it, the design kinda grows and I m liking it better….elements from the current model can be traced and i could still tell instinctively it’s a volvo ….i do believe it looks even better in metal than in prints perhaps….

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